Barcelona chief Joan Laporta aims dig at rivals Real Madrid with model of 'power' claim and suggests Blaugrana 'more than a club' due to 'freedom' in transfer market

Laporta took pride in highlighting the role of La Masia, the famed Barcelona academy, in shaping the club’s philosophy and producing elite footballers. However, it must be noted that the Catalan side has paid more than €100 million on three separate occasions, bringing in Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele, and Antoine Griezmann. Significant fees were also shelled out for Neymar, Luis Suarez, and Frenkie de Jong during that era.

Laporta, while highlighting the contrasting approaches of the two clubs, said: "We're different clubs. Madrid have a sense of power, while we have a sense of freedom. Everyone looks out for their own interests. It's a good rivalry which both clubs feed off, from a position of respect, but we have different models.

"Our [model] is based on developing youngsters through La Masia and creating talent; Madrid are more inclined to signing players. They don't have many players in their squad who have come through the academy. We're really proud of who we are. We are more than a club."

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, speaking ahead of his side’s Club World Cup match against Red Bull Salzburg, chose not to stoke tensions but gently countered Laporta’s remarks.

"I imagine the context in which he said what he said, and I don't want to get involved," Alonso told reporters.

"But we do have a feeling of freedom and democracy ... and I imagine they also have some power. It goes both ways."

Laporta’s confidence was underpinned by Barcelona’s utter domination of their fiercest rivals during the 2024–25 campaign. Under the leadership of German coach Hansi Flick, Barça secured an unprecedented four victories over Real Madrid in official matches across La Liga and the Copa del Rey, as well as a triumph in a high-profile pre-season encounter in the United States. With a domestic double secured, winning both La Liga and the Copa del Rey, Flick's start to life in Catalonia has been nearly flawless.

Even more impressive was their attacking prowess, as they scored 16 goals across those four games, setting a new record for the most goals scored by a single team against Real Madrid in one campaign. The previous record, also held by Barcelona, was 13 goals during the 2011–12 season.

While Barcelona bask in their record-breaking season, Real Madrid are plotting a return to dominance under Alonso. The 2025–26 campaign offers the perfect opportunity for Los Blancos to exact revenge and reassert their authority, especially in the Clásico encounters that often define both clubs’ seasons.

Alonso, still in the early days of his tenure, will be under pressure to close the gap and bring silverware back to the Santiago Bernabeu. The response to Laporta’s comments may not come in words, but on the pitch, where it matters most. They are fighting to end their campaign on a sweet note by lifting the Club World Cup in the United States with an encounter against Juventus next in the round of 16.